Just trying to catch up on guys I don't know much about. I'm sure there may have been topics on him, but if some of you could give me your projections, analysis, rankings etc before I get my BP copy in a week, that'd be great. Thanks.

It will be interesting to see where he ends up in the Cubs lineup. I doubt he will be much more than a #7 type hitter, but if he can find a way to bat in front of A-Ram and Lee his value should increase some based on the periphs alone.

Worth taking a flier on but I wouldn't want to depend on him to produce. Japanese leagues power numbers seem unreliable when trying to transfer them to mlb, and I like power from my OF. Is Godzilla the only import that has hit for major league power?

PECOTA loves him if you are into projections: .289/.401/.504. I might buy the OBP projection, but not the slugging. (As a late round pick, that would be an insane bargain for a league that uses OPS like mine does). PECOTA‘s top comparison is J.D. Drew. He missed a portion of last year due to elbow surgery so spring training should be interesting to watch. PECOTA also mentioned the possibility of moving Fukudome into the lead-off position due to his OBP skills while moving Soriano into an RBI slot in the Cubs lineup. I think it’s fair to say that the chances of that happening are zilch, especially if the Cubs were to get Brian Roberts. But if Soriano gets injured, maybe it’s an option. Most articles I have read indicate that he will likely hit fifth, protecting Aramis Ramirez. The Cubs were dead last in the NL last year in terms of RBI’s from the number 5 position with just 75. The league average from that position was 92. The Cubs number 5 hitters collectively had a paltry OBP of .321. I can’t imagine Fukudome doing worse than 75 RBI’s if he’s in that spot most of the year and maintains a solid OBP like he did in Japan.

+= 762

"Trying to hit him was like trying to drink coffee with a fork." - Willie Stargell on Sandy Koufax

Agree with this. Get Randy Winn off of the WW and you will get better expected performance with less downside.

Woah now, I can't agree with that advice at all. You shouldn't be trying to avoid downside at that point in the draft, you should be drafting for upside and Winn has basically none at all. If you have reached the point in your draft that you are thinking of drafting or picking up Randy Winn you should grab Fukudome first every time.